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Cloud9Gal
July 3rd, 2010, 05:29
http://www.tiptopglobe.com/skin/smile/s10939.gif (http://www.tiptopglobe.com/free-smiles-smileys-emoticons-blog-forum-email)

In honor of the upcoming 4th of July holiday, let's have some fun and post some of our family traditions, or special plans.
Post anything related to this wonderful country! What's your favorite patriotic song/melody?
What bit of history fascinates you the most?

Let's celebrate the U.S.A~

http://www.tiptopglobe.com/skin/smile/s10941.gif (http://www.tiptopglobe.com/free-smiles-smileys-emoticons-blog-forum-email)

Cloud9Gal
July 3rd, 2010, 05:31
Three young Canadians play "Stars & Stripes Forever" on the piano. Nicely done!

UuEWFi-fR2s

cheezyflier
July 3rd, 2010, 05:51
a bit of history that has always fascinated me is the sacrifices of the original freedom fighters of our country. some of them were wealthy, and died penniless after sacrificing not only their wealth but their sons. many people went off to war without shoes, knowing that they had a slim chance of survival. there's not many people today willing to make those sacrifices.

************************************************** *********************

now for something completely different. here is a video about America that is funny, but not appropriate for kids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS-FoXbjVI

Daveroo
July 3rd, 2010, 06:41
in the spirit of the thread...as i grew up..the 4th was my great grandparents wedding annaversary,and i have many memories of having to be at thier house and get to enjoy the 4th celibrations..they were jehova witness so they didnt celibrate the 4th..ironically...they did thier wedding anna though...god they confused me alot...but my birthday is the 6th and when my parents told the old folks that they and us kids would do family stuff(our family) on the 4th..my dad was a volunteer fireman and belonged to 20-30 club and several other "service clubs" so he had alot to do with the parade and at the fairgrounds and then he helped his buddies light off the fireworks.....that was cool for me as a kid to be apart of that...( then as an adult i became a part of it for real.liting the mortors off ect and i realised how much beer they drank before the show and it scared the poop outa me,,,that no longer happens though,no alcohol involved).
now adays i sit in my RV on the computer and look out my large rear window,6'x4' and watch the overhead stuff from here,this year the nieghbors are having a block party and a kids bike parade..going to that in the afternoon...

OBIO
July 3rd, 2010, 07:13
Deb and I were married 6 years ago today and our wedding was a Star Spangled Banner affair. Full on 4th of July style decorations. The wedding was in her mom and stepdad's back yard...maybe 20 feet from the swimming pool...and maybe five minutes after saying "I Do" Deb was in the pool! The reception dinner, or what ever it's called, was just a big cook out. Burgers, hot dogs, brats, potato and macaroni salads...the regular ordinary 4th of July stuff. It was HOT HOT HOT that day....the hottest day of the year that year.

OBIO

jmig
July 3rd, 2010, 07:45
I usually Bar-B-Que chicken and my wife makes potato salad. We will have watermelon and then she brings out her 4th of July signature cake. A flag cake. It is a flat rectangular pan cake with white icing. She uses strawberries for the red strips and blueberries for the stars.

This years all the children are away so we will have friends over.

Jagdflieger
July 3rd, 2010, 08:20
When I'm overseas on the 4th and if I'm not out in the field, I usually try and attend the US Embassy's 4th of July gala. This year on my current assignement, the event was held on Friday with a flag raising by the USMC security detachment, a short speech by the ambassador and a good old BBQ for lunch.

My favorite patriotic song? Easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RINqibpWOzQ

Cloud9Gal
July 3rd, 2010, 08:51
Here's some cute information about types of fireworks effects. I never knew that!

1. Peony

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/peony.jpg
This one is apparently the most common, so your chances of spotting it in the skies this weekend are pretty good. It’s “a spherical break of colored stars.”
2. Chrysanthemum

http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/gall_chrysanthemum.gif
This is a variation of the Peony – the difference is that the stars leave a visible trail of sparks. To me, this looks like a fiber optic ball or those balls that you put your hand on to attract the current to at science museums and the life.
3. Willow

http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/willow2.jpg
I love this one! It’s a lot like the Peony and its variations (the Chrysanthemum and the Dahlia), but it leaves trails of silver or gold stars that produce a weeping willow-ish outline.
4. Horsetail

http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/gall_waterfall.gif
It’s a compact (http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/27944#) little burst that falls down down, well, like a horsetail. You might also hear this one referred to as a Waterfall Shell.
5. Fish

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/fish.jpg
The shell bursts and then you see little squiggles of light squirming away from the main burst. The effect looks like fish swimming away. Or sperm. Whatever.
6. Spider

http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/spider.jpg
This one is fast-burning and bursts very hard, which makes the stars shoot out straight and flat. Basically, the look like lots of spider legs.
7. Palm

http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/palm.jpg
This one produces an effect that looks like a palm tree when it bursts (go figure). Some even have a thick tail that looks like a trunk.
8. Crossette

http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/crossettes.jpg
Take lots of tic-tac-toe boards and cross them over each other haphazardly. That’s kind of what the crossette looks like. It’s usually accompanied by a loud crackling noise.
9. Kamuro

http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/kamuro.jpg
Named after a Japanese hairstyle, this one has a dense burst that leaves a glittery trail.
10. Rings

http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/rings.gif
I like these because they can be arranged to look like atoms, which is very mental_floss-y. But typically you see rings within rings, like the ones in the picture.
.

Cazzie
July 3rd, 2010, 11:27
Baseball and fireworks tonight. For the fourth, picnic, late evening concert with patriotic music, and finally fireworks.

yWwayDfJtkE

Cag40Navy
July 3rd, 2010, 11:37
Lighting fireworks and having a nice dinner with friends until we get a call about a fire.

Snuffy
July 3rd, 2010, 14:41
As is the case with all things, everything changes. There was a time when I enjoyed the celebrations and all especially with family and friends, and nothing more satisfying than watching the face of a young child (my daughter,) as they take in their first cognizant fireworks display.

But moving on with the thought of change ...

This use to be my favorite "All Things American" song :

ruNrdmjcNTc

But now this one has replaced that one.

zNDcAWNscg8

Have a great weekend.

Gramps
July 3rd, 2010, 14:53
until we get a call about a fire.

Yeah, headin out to bbq myself...... until I get that call myself.

Willy
July 3rd, 2010, 17:29
When I was a kid down on the family farm in SW Arkansas, we'd have a combination bbq and family reunion every 4th of July. We'd bbq a side of beef (and sometimes a goat) with all the trimmings as we had my grandparents, 9 uncles and an aunt plus their kids to feed. We were a really close family and saw each other all through the year, but the 4th gave us all the excuse to get together and have a party.

They haven't done one in over 30 years now, but I sure miss those get togethers.

redriver6
July 3rd, 2010, 17:40
well i usually go over to my cousin's house for a bbq/reunion..(i got 12 first cousins...from the same aunt and uncle)...but not this year.........i'll be working and on call. :mad:

Panther_99FS
July 3rd, 2010, 17:50
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/4672840400_3694dd68d9_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4628358310_7467eb3e59_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4549511416_5a21d9ef76_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4320012489_d4d0fb64be_b.jpg

Bjoern
July 4th, 2010, 12:38
Happy anniversary, US of A!

PRB
July 4th, 2010, 12:57
http://ootp.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/vinson-flies-the-battle-ensign_100407-n-4774b-480.png

Navy Chief
July 4th, 2010, 13:30
Great picture, PRB!!!

NC

olderndirt
July 4th, 2010, 17:02
As did, more recently, Craig Ferguson of 'Late late' fame, I began a second life as a green card holding person from Scotland. My romance with this great country began at a much younger age and has lasted fifty seven years - fifty two as a US citizen with more to come.

GT182
July 4th, 2010, 17:29
I look forward to hearing this every year. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/GT182/US-flag.gif

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xf8hfZuzw_A&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xf8hfZuzw_A&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Sadly I heard tonight on tv that he will no longer sing it because of what's going on in our country these days. And that brought a tear to my eyes.

EasyEd
July 4th, 2010, 18:14
Hey All,

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I can understand why Lee Greenwood no longer sings that song.

I wonder what John Wayne would think of his words today?

-Ed-